Bear, Wild Animal Sightings Up In All Corners Of Westchester

A black bear cub takes a nap in a tree on June 25 in Fairfield, Conn.Photo Credit: Fairfield Police DepartmentPolice throughout the Hudson Valley have issued warnings about coyotes, and are drafting town plans and policies to curtail them. Photo Credit: Richard SpencerThe black bear strolls about the yard on June 16 in Norwalk, Conn.
Photo Credit: Norwalk Police DepartmentA bear climbing a tree at Peter Pratt's Inn at Yorktown on April 1. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Frank MorelloPound Ridge Police Chief Dave Ryan, second from left, details deer hunting in his town during a panel discussion on April 30 at the Westchester County Center.Photo Credit: Jon Craig

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WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Wildlife experts differ on the exact cause, but one fact everyone agrees on: There have been more sightings of wild animals in Westchester and neighboring counties in 2015 than in recent years.

Whether it's the wetter, warmer weather, increased housing starts or heightened public attention, area police are receiving more reports of coyotes, foxes, deer and geese -- as well as encounters with bears and hawks.

In recent months, there have been sporadic bear sightings from Yonkers' southern border with New York City, north to Yorktown and Connecticut.

Bear sightings were reported from all corners of Weston, Conn., on July 3, according to the town’s animal control officer. And a
bear was tranquilized and captured in Fairfield, Conn.
, in June. A week earlier in Norwalk, Conn. a black bear was spotted near the Merritt Parkway-Route 7 interchange,

According to wildlife experts,
Westchester, Putnam and Fairfield counties provide plenty of green space and food for all wildlife. Deer as well as coyotes appear to have a diminished sense of fear of humans in recent years, they say.

A reader from Eastchester said coyotes have been spotted there ever since Twin Lakes was drained. While the site has been restored, its ecosystem was disturbed, forcing coyotes and other animals to find new homes.

Wild avian activity also is up. A red-tailed hawk has been frequenting Eastchester near Lake Isle Country Club.

Several readers reported flocks of turkeys in Greenburgh and along Westchester Avenue in White Plains and Harrison. Meanwhile, geese nested at White Plains High School in April and have been disrupting traffic along Route 119 near the Greenburgh Town Court and Police Department in recent weeks.